Fantasy News

• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Set to lose rotation spot

  Rotowire Apr 7, 2024

  Thompson is expected to lose his rotation spot and move to the bullpen with Sonny Gray (hamstring) on track to return from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday's game against the Phillies, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports. Rather than sending Gray out for a minor-league rehab assignment after he tossed 54 pitches in a three-inning simulated game Wednesday, the Cardinals saw enough from the veteran right-hander to feel comfortable having him return from the IL for his next outing. According to Jones, Thompson won't be available out of the bullpen Sunday against the Marlins or in Monday's series opener with the Phillies just in case Gray suffers a setback leading up to Tuesday's game, but Thompson looks like he'll be headed for a relief role before long. Since he isn't yet fully ramped up, Gray is expected to be limited to 65 pitches Tuesday, so Thompson could even be called upon to pitch an inning or two once the former exits his start. After faring respectably upon joining the St. Louis rotation over the final two months of the 2023 campaign, Thompson has struggled to carry any momentum into 2024. Over his first two starts, Thompson has given up eight earned runs on 11 hits and six walks while striking out nine over 10.1 innings.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Struggles with control in loss

  Rotowire Apr 4, 2024

  Thompson (0-2) took the loss Wednesday against the Padres, surrendering three runs on five hits and four walks across five innings. He struck out five. Thompson was consistently in trouble Wednesday, allowing a runner to reach or cross second base in each of the first four innings, including a solo home run by Kyle Higashioka in the fourth. He was also picked on by baserunners, giving up three stolen bases on the day. With Sonny Gray (hamstring) on the brink of beginning a rehab stint with Triple-A Memphis, it appears Thompson will only get one or two more turns in the rotation. He's tentatively scheduled for another tough draw against the Phillies next week after opening up the campaign facing the Dodgers and Padres.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Falls to Dodgers

  Rotowire Mar 30, 2024

  Thompson dropped to 0-1 in Friday's 6-3 loss to the Dodgers after striking out four while allowing five earned runs on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. All five of the runs charged to Thompson came via home runs, as the left-hander gave up solo homers in the first and second innings before Teoscar Hernandez added a three-run shot in the fourth. Thompson went 5-7 last season with a 4.48 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 72:25 K:BB across 66.1 innings. The southpaw figures to head back to the bullpen, or Triple-A Memphis, when Sonny Gray (hamstring) returns from the IL.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Taking Gray's rotation spot

  Rotowire Mar 22, 2024

  Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol announced Friday that Thompson will be a member of the club's season-opening rotation, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Veteran Sonny Gray (hamstring) will begin the season on the injured list, opening the door for Thompson to earn a rotation spot. The southpaw pitched well during spring training with a 2.81 ERA and 14:6 K:BB across 16 innings, but Thompson will likely only get a few starts to stake his claim to a more permanent rotation spot since Gray isn't expected to have a lengthy absence.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Competing for rotation spot

  Rotowire Mar 2, 2024

  Thompson allowed two runs on three hits and struck out three without walking a batter in Saturday's Grapefruit league start versus the Astros. Thompson and Matthew Liberatore are in the Cardinals' biggest battle for the last starting spot in the rotation. Thompson pitched for 2.2 innings Saturday before giving up back-to-back doubles. With Steven Matz coming along slowly after an injury-plagued 2023, there could be room for both Thompson and Liberatore in the Cardinals' projected early season six-man rotation, but both of them have shown some inconsistency early in the spring.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Logs no-decision Wednesday

  Rotowire Sep 28, 2023

  Thompson pitched 5.1 innings against Milwaukee on Wednesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out five batters over 5.1 innings. He did not factor in the decision. Thompson carried a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth frame but couldn't make the advantage stand up. He gave up consecutive doubles to begin the inning, resulting in the Brewers' first run, then saw the game-tying run cross the plate on a one-out fielder's choice. That tally was unearned due to a previous throwing error behind him, but it was nonetheless enough to move Thompson out of position for a win. His last victory came Sept. 9. This was presumably Thompson's final appearance of the campaign, and he finishes with a 4.34 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 72:25 K:BB over 66.1 frames, with nine of his 25 appearances coming as a starter.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Tosses five innings in victory

  Rotowire Sep 10, 2023

  Thompson (5-5) earned the win over Cincinnati on Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six batters over five innings. Thompson looked like he could be in for a short start when the Reds tallied three runs on four hits in the second frame, but the southpaw recovered and didn't allow any additional damage the rest of the way. He needed 98 pitches to get through five innings, going just deep enough to earn his third win across his past four starts. Thompson has been decent during that stretch, posting a 4.29 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB over 21 frames. He's tentatively slated to face the Phillies at home in his next start.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Tosses quality start, earns win

  Rotowire Sep 3, 2023

  Thompson (4-5) earned the win Sunday, allowing three runs on seven hits and zero walks over seven innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out six. It was the longest outing of Thompson's career, as he closed out the seventh emphatically by inducing a pop-up then striking out the final two batters for a 1-2-3 inning. The win was his second over the Pirates in 11 days and helped the Cardinals stave off a sweep. Thompson will carry a 3.86 ERA into his next start, likely to take place next weekend in Cincinnati.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Goes four innings in no-decision

  Rotowire Aug 30, 2023

  Thompson did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and four walks over four innings against San Diego. He struck out three. Thompson's final line certainly could've been worse, as he was charged with just two earned runs despite allowing nine Padres to reach base over four innings. The 25-year-old southpaw hasn't allowed more than two earned runs through five starts since rejoining St. Louis' rotation, though he's yet to pitch more than five innings. Overall, he's 3-5 with a 3.92 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 47:18 K:BB across 39 innings this season. Thompson's currently in line for a tough road matchup with Atlanta in his next start.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Earns third win

  Rotowire Aug 23, 2023

  Thompson (3-5) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk over five innings against the Pirates. He struck out five. Thompson plunked Connor Joe in the third inning with the bases loaded to send home the Pirates' first run of the game and later surrendered a solo shot to Ke'Bryan Hayes. Outside of that the lefty was efficient in only his second start of the season and actually struck out four of the first eight batters he faced before going on to log his third win. Thompson has now allowed two earned runs over five innings in both of his first two starts, posting a 10:2 K:BB over that run.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Takes fifth loss

  Rotowire Aug 18, 2023

  Thompson (2-5) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk over five innings Friday, striking out five and taking a loss against the Mets. Thompson was greeted by Brandon Nimmo's leadoff shot to begin the game but still turned in a decent outing. It was Thompson's longest appearance of the year and first start since officially moving into the Cardinals' rotation. Over his last three trips to the mound, he's given up just four runs while posting an 18:2 K:BB through 13 innings. His next start is currently lined up to be in Pittsburgh next week.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Handed third loss

  Rotowire Jul 23, 2023

  Thompson (2-3) allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while recording one strikeout in one-third of an inning to take the loss Saturday versus the Cubs. Thompson struggled and was pulled after allowing a two-run single to Cody Bellinger. Drew VerHagen then allowed an inherited runner to score the game's last run. Thompson has a win and a loss over his two appearances since rejoining the Cardinals' major-league roster. The southpaw has a shaky 5.79 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 19:11 K:BB through 14 major-league innings as a low-leverage option.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Collects win Wednesday

  Rotowire Jul 19, 2023

  Thompson (2-2) allowed three hits over two scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Marlins. He did not strike out or walk a batter. Thompson has been on the big-league roster since July 5, but he hadn't appeared in a game since his June 29 outing for Triple-A Memphis. Despite the long layoff, the southpaw delivered solid relief work in Wednesday's bullpen game. He's at a 3.95 ERA with a 1.76 WHIP and 18:9 K:BB over 13.2 major-league innings this season. Thompson and JoJo Romero are the two southpaws in the Cardinals' bullpen currently, but Thompson is likely to remain in a low-leverage role.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Handed second loss

  Rotowire May 1, 2023

  Thompson (1-2) allowed two runs on a hit and two walks with one strikeout over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Sunday versus the Dodgers. Thompson got out of a mess made by starter Jake Woodford in the fourth inning, only to create trouble on his own in the fifth. Thompson allowed the first three batters to reach in the fifth, and Drew VerHagen allowed two of them to score, which put the Dodgers ahead for good. This is the third outing in a row in which Thompson's allowed multiple runs, a discouraging turn of events after he limited the damage to one unearned run in his first eight appearances. The southpaw owns a 4.63 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 18:9 K:BB with a hold in 11.2 innings over 11 appearances.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Takes loss versus Seattle

  Rotowire Apr 23, 2023

  Thompson (1-1) allowed two runs on a hit and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Saturday versus the Mariners. Thompson replaced Miles Mikolas with one out in the sixth inning and finished the frame. In the seventh, Thompson put two batters aboard, and Giovanny Gallegos let them both come around to score. These were the first earned runs on Thompson's line through nine appearances this season. The southpaw owns a 1.80 ERA through 10 innings, but his 1.40 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB aren't all that encouraging. He'll likely continue to serve as a middle-relief option.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Collects win Friday

  Rotowire Apr 15, 2023

  Thompson (1-0) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out four over 1.2 innings to earn the win Friday over the Pirates. Starter Jake Woodford pitched 5.1 scoreless innings but received no run support. Thompson was able to get some help as the Cardinals got on the board in the sixth inning and maintained the lead to earn him the win in his sixth appearances this season. The southpaw has done well as a multi-inning option, giving up one unearned run on six hits and four walks while striking out 11 over seven innings this season. He also has a hold. Thompson is the Cardinals' most effective lefty in the bullpen, so he could work his way into some high-leverage spots.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Impressing in relief role

  Rotowire Mar 15, 2023

  Thompson has pitched six scoreless innings through six Grapefruit League appearances. He's struck out six while allowing four hits and two walks. Thompson's strong pitching is solidifying his place in the Cardinals' bullpen, though his history as a starter in the minors makes it possible he ends up as a long-relief option. At this point, there's a wide range of outcomes for Thompson, who could ultimately end up as the Cardinals' top left-handed reliever. That could earn him some high-leverage looks thanks to manager Oliver Marmol's matchup-based approach when the Cardinals are protecting a lead.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Rejoins big club

  Rotowire Jul 15, 2022

  Thompson was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Friday. The left-hander was optioned to Triple-A on Monday but will return to St. Louis with Dakota Hudson (neck) landing on the injured list. Thompson has been effective when up in the majors with a 2.70 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB across 20 innings.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Takes extra-inning loss Sunday

  Rotowire Jun 27, 2022

  Thompson (1-1) took the extra-inning loss Sunday versus the Cubs. He allowed an unearned run on three hits and struck out two over 1.2 innings without walking a batter. Thompson was responsible for an RBI single from Willson Contreras, and the Cardinals couldn't get even in the bottom of the 10th inning. With Genesis Cabrera on the COVID-19 injured list, Thompson is expected to fill a multi-inning role in critical spots in games in the short term. He has a 3.31 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB in six appearances (one start) spanning 16.1 innings this year. Jack Flaherty (shoulder) made an early exit Sunday, and if he's forced to miss time again, Thompson would be among the shortlist of options to join the rotation.

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• Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Coughs up five runs

  Rotowire Jun 13, 2022

  Thompson allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings in Monday's win over Pittsburgh. He struck out two and did not factor in the decision. Thompson had given up just one run through four frames before a brutal fifth inning. He yielded four runs in the frame, including a three-run homer by Michael Chavis. Fortunately for Thompson, he avoided taking the loss in his first career start when his team mounted a comeback after he left the game. The 24-year-old southpaw now ows a 6.00 ERA through nine MLB innings.

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